The time clock
One of the oldest time recording systems was set up in Munich around 1798 by Benjamin Thompson, Imperial Count of Rumford. The Bavarian officials under him had to insert their identification tags into a watch with a slot and rotating compartments underneath.
The systems for measuring working hours became important in the second half of the 19th century as part of the industrialization. This time clock was used in the Röchling iron and steel works in Völklingen. In the lower part, the clock was even made there.
Timekeeping
The card is inserted into the "Stechwerk" and the time is stamped on the corresponding position. The clock automatically changes to morning, noon or night shift and "comes/goes". For a work break – e. g. for a doctor's appointment or an appointment with the authorities - the guide can be shifted spring-loaded to the columns "Interruption - Goes" and "Interruption - Comes" before stamping.
The salary is calculated based on the completed cards. Nowadays, the recording is almost entirely electronic and some companies are also switching to "trust-based working hours".
The time tracking
Historically, there has been a division of labor since the 15th century, e.g. in shipbuilding in Venice. From this, the assembly line work developed, as it became known in 1873 from the large slaughterhouses in Cincinnati and in 1913 in the production of the "Tin Lizzy" by the Ford company.
In 1924 the REFA Federal Association was founded in Darmstadt. The REFA method is the recognized business management method for organizing work, business organization and corporate development. The individual work steps are timed and optimized.
